. An actor's notebooks, being some memories, friendships, criticisms and experiences of Frank Archer. vale. He had produced it at his own littletheatre in King William Street. We all had anenjoyable and mirthful evening, and I went roundto his dressing-room between the acts to shake handswith him. This was years before his death, but itproved to be, unhappily, the last time that we is only possible to me, and I should imagine to allwho knew him, to think of Toole in the kindliest was such a thoroughly good fellow in the bestacceptation of the term. I do not think a kinder manever
. An actor's notebooks, being some memories, friendships, criticisms and experiences of Frank Archer. vale. He had produced it at his own littletheatre in King William Street. We all had anenjoyable and mirthful evening, and I went roundto his dressing-room between the acts to shake handswith him. This was years before his death, but itproved to be, unhappily, the last time that we is only possible to me, and I should imagine to allwho knew him, to think of Toole in the kindliest was such a thoroughly good fellow in the bestacceptation of the term. I do not think a kinder manever breathed, which is saying much. I had knownhim from my earliest days in the theatrical the winter of 1868 he came to Nottingham as aStar for a night or two. It was my duty as a memberof the Stock Company to support him. John Billing-ton—also a good fellow—was playing the second partsto him. Dearer Than Life was one of the plays, andI was cast for Mr. Kedgley. Leigh Murray hasdescribed the character, originally played by JohnClayton. It was merely, as he said, a little effective. Photo by Elliott & Fry. J. L. TOOLE AS DAVID TROT IN THE BUTLER. p. 294] J* L. Toolc 295 bit. When the act was over I made my way to mydressing-room, but before reaching it Toole had over-taken me. Thank you, my dear boy. You playedthe part capitally—perfect as an angel [this as to thewords]. It couldnt have been better done ; Imvery much obliged to you. It may not seem much,but it was a great deal to me at the time. Of course,I had not neglected to obey Bottoms injunction : Take pains ; be perfect, and I had done my verybest. But Toole had gone out of his way, or rather,he had not gone out of his way—which was always tosay a kindly thing and give pleasure. I never forgotthis little encouragement, nor did he. Years after-wards I mentioned it to him, and he said he remem-bered it perfectly. I met him next at the Princes Theatre at Man-chester a year later, and was in possession of
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